Don't take that sinner from me
Chapter 21: I do
A/N: I own nothing except my mistakes. Also, someone asked me if any of the Death Eaters saw Hermione, and since I won't cover that question in my story, I will answer it now: No, they didn't. They got away as soon as the place was filling up with Death Eaters, and because of the chaos, it was hard to spot her.
Yawning, she stretched her body and winced as she felt the pain in her back. Yes, she was definitely pleasingly hating being back. Having eaten breakfast, she was now waiting for Snape in the hallway, her handbag in her hands as she leaned against the wall.
"We shall apparate directly in front of Gringotts bank." Snape said tonelessly as he appeared in the hallway, opening the front door and ushering her out. As soon as she was out of the house, she focused all her thoughts on Diagon Alley and the Gringotts bank that she wished to be in front of, and felt her stomach lurch as she was now standing right in front of the bank.
Not a second later, Snape had appeared besides her and they walked into the bank together, their hands entwined as she made a move for the goblin, asking to see her vault. With Snape tagging along, they followed the usual path through the bank and stopped when they arrived at her vault, giving the goblin her key so he could open it.
Looking at the small pile of gold, and at the larger pile of silver and bronze, she put just a few Galleons in her bag, and grabbed more from the Sickles and Knuts. She was, after all, saving for her future and could not risk spending all her money now. Knowing that this was enough to buy her books from, she got out of her vault again and waited for the goblin to give her back her key.
Back again they went, until they were right outside of Gringotts bank. "Where else would you like to go?" Snape asked and Hermione nodded her head to a shop at the left side of the street, "Flourish and Blott's bookstore." Saying it in a matter-of-fact way and Snape chuckled lightly, looking at him sharply, she asked: "What are you laughing about?"
"I haven't heard you talk like that in far too long, Hermione. I was almost getting under the impression that I wasn't married to the insufferable-know-it-all." Snape teased and Hermione hit his arm lightly, "Well, no worries, she's still there. Somewhere under all the grease and dirt from you." Hermione retorted and smirked as his sly smile was wept off his face.
Entering the bookstore, she immediately let go of his hand as she rushed over to one of the bookshelves, taking out the letter from her handbag and searching for the books she would need.
Ignoring the anxious stares the owner threw them, she scrambled all the necessary books together as Snape was watching her a few feet away, waiting for her to get the supplies.
Having found everything she needed, along with some new ink, quills and parchment, she had to suppress a snicker as the owner nervously and trembling packed her stuff as she paid for it. What was he so afraid of? That they'd hex him right there on the spot?
She couldn't blame him. After all, Ollivanders was absolutely ruined and shattered, and half of the other shops had closed in fear of getting killed. But honestly, did he truly expect for her to hex him after having searched endlessly for her supplies? Wouldn't it have been more logical to do it right away, instead of purchasing items?
Visiting Mr. Mulpepper's Apothecary last, she bought some supplies for her Potions classes, getting a few tips from her husband on what she should buy instead, to save money and still get the desired effects for a potion.
Looking sadly at the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes joke shop, she hoped that Fred and George were doing well, having hid somewhere safe where they would not be easily found. "It's not too late to follow their example, you know." A low voice behind her said and Hermione let out a frustrated sigh, "Don't even start, Severus. I'm just hoping they're doing well, that's all."
Having bought everything they needed, they left the grim streets as they apparated back to Spinner's End, entering the house as fast as they could.
They ate their dinner quietly after the house-elves from Hogwarts had sent the food to his house as usual, and then both took their respected seats in the living room. Snape sat near the fireplace in his armchair, and Hermione was laying sprawled out on the sofa, several books having piled beside her, and one being held up high as she was reading it.
A sudden burn was felt in her left arm, one she hadn't felt in a very long time. For a moment, she had even totally forgotten it was there. Lifting up her left sleeve, she was immediately hit with the sight of the word 'mudblood'. Wincing, she lifted the sleeve up higher and watched as the black Dark Mark was moving on her arm.
Looking up at her husband, she knew he felt it too. "What am I supposed to do?" Hermione asked, not having thought this through at all the past few months. For such a long period of time did he not summon her, that she hadn't thought of the possibility he might do it now that school was starting soon.
"You lie. Tell him you got separated at the wedding with them, but that you are trying to get in contact with them." Hermione nodded absentmindedly as she dropped the book she was holding onto the pile of other books, and stood up.
He swiftly moved out of his chair and she followed him out of the house, grabbing his arm so she could let him apparate the both of them. Yes, she now knew where it was, but every time she'd get summoned, her mind would get too clouded to focus on her destination.
Welcoming the grimness of the place, she willed her mind to empty itself from all thoughts. Voldemort was growing more powerful, and if she would slip one important thought of Harry's whereabouts, it would have been all ruined. He would be dead in an instant and there would be no way that Voldemort could be defeated then.
With that motivation, she allowed her thoughts to leave her body as she felt the gentle squeeze of Snape's hand, and felt his fingers twirling her wedding ring. Feeling safe with him by her side, she took confident steps as they entered the Manor.
Giving his hand one last squeeze, she released it as they got sight of the room on the second floor. The Death Eaters had once again gathered around the table, and Voldemort was watching them both with an unpleasant sly smile.
"Hermione, my dear.. how long it has been." He drawled in his high pitched voice and Hermione felt the cold shivers down her spine, and bit her cheek to remind herself to keep her face expressionless. "Too long, my lord." Hermione said strained, taking her seat at the table.
"I was hoping you could enlighten us with some news? Perhaps any clues on where Harry Potter might be?" The eagerness in his voice was not suppressed as he spoke, and she could feel him trying to prod around in her mind. But she was having none of that.
"I'm afraid I can't, my lord. You see, at the crashed wedding, he and I got separated. I've been trying to contact him ever since, but I'm still not entirely certain where he might be." Her voice was toneless and continued when she watched his displeased face. "However, I'm certain that he'll come to me soon enough. We all know that Harry can't last a day without me."
Voldemort nodded in agreement, "I suppose you are right." Bellatrix suddenly jumped in before he could say another word, suspicion laced in her voice. "You were at the wedding? What were you doing there? I thought you were spending your time at Snape's house?"
Hermione raised an eyebrow at the woman, her face displaying no emotion except for giving off a stern look that implied that Hermione thought she was asking her an incredibly stupid question. "Of course I was. They had invited me, after all. Not showing up would only raise suspicion, wouldn't it?" She spoke and Bellatrix sneered at her.
"Right indeed." Voldemort spoke, having watched the interaction between the two women, and was now carrying a sly smile.
"I will trust you'll let me know when you get into touch with Harry Potter, am I right?" Voldemort asked and Hermione nodded stiffly, "I will, my lord." To her surprise, she easily managed to keep her voice stable, not cowering away underneath his stare.
"Then you are permitted to leave." Hermione nodded and got up, briefly meeting the eyes of Draco. His entire family looked beyond tense, and the fear was radiating off of them. "Severus, please do stay." Snape nodded obediently and Hermione hurried out of the room, feeling a bit more anxious now that she was all alone.
Walking down the stairs, she used the trick Snape had taught her on the gates, and walked easily through them, and apparated back to Spinner's End as soon as she had stepped out of the grounds.
Embracing the chilly air that hit her face, she hurried to the front door until she realized that he had not yet given her a key. Cursing him underneath her breath, she went to sit on the doorstep, her wand clutched in her hand in case she needed it.
Taking out the coin from her pocket, she fumbled around with it in her hands. Tomorrow, the day she was going back to Hogwarts, they would attempt to retrieve the stolen locket. She was desperately hoping that when the coin would heat up, it would only carry out good news.
Her hands grew cold as the mist was surrounding her. Even though it was still summer, this town was always known for its misty cold, especially in the evening. The temperature would drop greatly, showing no hint of a warm season in the slightest.
Hearing a faint pop, she jumped up from the doorstep and pointed her wand at the person, lightening her wand in the process. Making out the frame of Snape through the dark, she let out a relieved sigh.
"Why are you outside, Hermione?" The mist made it difficult for her to see his expression, making her wonder how his meeting went. "Well, I don't know, Severus. Thought I'd wait outside to give you a serenade." Her voice was laced with sarcasm as she waited for him to open the door.
She noticed he had difficulty opening the door, but didn't question it as it finally opened, and she quickly hurried inside with him, embracing the warmth of the house.
Walking into the sitting room, she immediately hurried over to the still lit fireplace, hearing Snape leave for the kitchen, the water running as she warmed her hands. Taking her seat on the sofa, she closed her eyes as she let out a sigh.
"Here." His low voice spoke and she opened her eyes, watching in surprise as he held out a cup of tea for her. Noticing the flicker of emotion, she hesitantly took the cup from him. Was that fear she was seeing? Allowing the warmth of the cup to warm up her hands, she watched in confusion as he took a seat near the window, his legs awkwardly positioned on top of one another.
"Drink up." He urged her on, a strained smile on his face, his hands fidgeting with his robes. Something was wrong – he normally never acted this strange.
And then it hit her. This was not her husband – this was not Severus Snape. Trying to not give away her sudden discovery, she smiled sweetly at him and brought the cup to her lips, keeping them tight shut as she allowed her throat to make a swallowing motion.
Making sure that no contents had entered her body, she lowered the cup again and his demeanour immediately changed. "Where is Harry Potter?" He had rushed out of his chair, kneeling in front of her now.
Figuring it out soon enough that the fake Snape must have put Veritaserum in her drink, she decided to play along as casually as she could. "I told you before, Severus, I got separated with him at the wedding. I have yet to find out where he is."
"If you do find out where he is, what will you do?" The impostor asked eagerly, and Hermione answered this carefully, not wanting to give her knowledge of the situation away. "I will contact the Dark Lord straight away." The impostor's eyebrows furrowed, "Why are you loyal to the Dark Lord?"
"I want to ensure the safety of us, Severus. There is so much more out there for me, and I don't want to lose that opportunity just yet." The impostor raised an eyebrow, "Even if it means betraying your friends?" Hermione had to refrain herself from rolling her eyes. Whoever had signed up to play as Snape, was miserably failing. "Yes." She said confidently and the impostor straightened up again.
"That's good to hear, Hermione. If you'll excuse me, I will just go and lock the front door." Hermione nodded and watched him leave the room, and heard the front door open and close again. The impostor must have left, yet, she remained seated for a couple of minutes longer, wanting to be sure he was gone.
Wanting to be certain that he really had left, though, she quietly got up from the sofa and put the tea cup aside, lightening her wand once more and looked into the hallway, which was now deserted. Letting out a shaky breath, she turned around again, but froze as the front door opened.
Turning around, she pointed her wand at the man entering the house. His dark robes swayed swiftly behind him as he hurriedly closed the front door, and froze as he noticed the pointed wand at him. "Hermione,-" Snape started but she interrupted before he could say anything.
"What was the double meaning behind your answer the day I asked you about your kiss?" Hermione demanded, her wand pointed at his chest as she had moved forward. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "What?"
"Answer it!" She threateningly said and he sighed, as he repeated what he told her that night she had ran away from this house. "The double meaning behind my answer, was that I do not regret kissing you because I have developed some sort of interest for you. However, I do regret it to a certain level because I believed it shouldn't be happening." Lowering her wand with a nod, he raised his own at her.
"Who was the first person I loved?" Snape asked, his voice low and Hermione was unable to stop the hurt from showing on her face as she spoke: "Lily. Harry's mother." Nodding in confirmation with an expressionless face, he lowered his wand as well.
"It seems like the Dark Lord had managed to get a hold of one of my hairs, allowing Lucius to turn into me." Hermione nodded in understanding, and walked with him into the living room. Watching in satisfaction that he took his usual seat at the armchair near the fireplace, she repositioned herself on the sofa.
"Veritaserum, I assume?" Snape asked, nodding to the cup that was standing on the floor next to her and Hermione nodded, "Yes, but I didn't drink any." She said as she watched his worried expression.
With a muffled yawn, she lifted herself off the sofa once more and grabbed the cup off the floor, emptying its contents into the sink. Going back into the sitting room, she noticed he had got one of his books out of the bookshelf and had returned to his reading from before. With one last look at him, she quietly made her way to the door, her hand lingering on the doorknob as he spoke softly.
"Do you, Severus Snape, take Hermione Jean Granger, to be your wedded wife, to cherish in love and in friendship, in strength and in weakness, in success and in disappointment, to love her faithfully, today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you shall live?" Snape quoted from their wedding, and Hermione unconsciously reached out for her wedding ring, embracing the comfort it brought her as it was comfortably wrapped around her left ring finger.
"I do." The words were barely a whisper, yet his voice was with a certainty she hadn't heard the day he made those wedding vows. And she knew that he had noticed her expression when Lily was mentioned. And she knew what he was trying to say.
Looking over her shoulder with a warm smile, she was glad to see the honest smile on his face beaming back at her. "Goodnight, Severus." Hermione whispered and disappeared into the dark hallway, taking the stairs up to her bedroom.